334 NATURAL HISTORY. 



frequent as an ornament to grounds. Often transplanted 

 abroad on account of the excellence of its wood for build- 

 ing purposes ; very enduring, it is altogether suitable for 

 mill or other water works. It also affords the Venice 

 turpentine, and a substance called Manna of Briamon. 

 One native species (L. americana, M.) found on our 

 mountains, h. 



The Cedar (Pinus cedrus) is very large ; grows to a 

 great height ; a remarkably handsome tree, with wide- 

 spreading branches, and spiky leaves, an inch long. The 

 cedar has been famed since the earliest times ; wood of a 

 reddish color, with a most pleasant odor. The beams in 

 Solomon's temple are described in the Bible as being 

 made of this wood. Native of Syria, it nevertheless 

 bears transplanting into Northern Europe ; for instance, 

 the large cedar, celebrated for its immense size, now 

 growing in the Botanical Garden at Paris, was a small 

 plant brought by Tournefort in 1734 from the East. 

 Of the cedars of Lebanon it is said that there are not 

 more than a dozen remaining. The wood, only used at 

 present for burning as incense, is very scarce and costly. 

 The tree known in South America as cedar, the wood 

 of which is used in making cigar boxes, lead pencils, etc., 

 does not belong to this family, having rather leaves than 

 spikes. 



The Red or Norway Pine (Pinus abies), leaves dark 

 evergreen, in pairs, channeled, four-cornered, stand col- 

 lected towards the ends of the branches ; cones ovoid 

 conic (rhombic four-sided), pendulous ; scales armed to- 

 wards the end ; seeds long- winged. Considered one of 

 the best forest trees in Europe and America. Its slender 

 trunk, in youth covered with a smooth reddish bark, 

 which, when the tree is old, bccomos rough and fissured, 



